life_full_ofbooks's reviews
2518 reviews

This book was truly a case of judging a book by its cover for me. I was drawn to the title and the synopsis sounded cute, but unfortunately this was not a good fit for me. 

I was bored from the very beginning and saw from the get go how this was going to end. In addition to that, I never felt a connection with Cecily. I found myself purposely finding other things to do so I didn’t have to read it and when I did pick up my kindle, it was with great trepidation. Finally, after a week, I decided to call it a day. I jumped a few chapters, skimmed others, and jumped to the end. 

I think this author just isn’t a good fit for me since I wasn’t a fan of her last book either. Please don’t let this review sway you from reading the book if it sounds cute to you; I know quite a few people who really enjoyed this. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for an advanced copy. Back After This hit the shelves February 25th. 

One of my favorite historical moments to read about is the Titanic. I’m embarrassed to admit (but not so embarrassed that I won’t) that my reason is because of the hit late 90’s movie. In everything I read I can’t help but insert Jack and Rose into the story. That’s what drew me to this book and it’s why I found the book lacking. 

Elinor Coombes is living a life most would trade their lives to live. Married to Frederick, the next Lord Stanton, she doesn’t have to worry about anything but planning the next party with her overbearing mother in law, but this is not the life Elinor wants. Having come from a family that valued her mind, living this “life of luxury” is anything but luxurious. After two years of marriage and discovering that her husband married her solely for her money and signed papers making his parents their toddler son’s, Teddy, guardians should anything happen to him, Elinor wishes she had a way out. She gets that chance when the ocean liner she, Frederick, Teddy, and her father was on hits an iceberg. Forced on to a lifeboat with Teddy, Elinor watches the ship sink and realizes she’s the sole survivor of her traveling party. On the Carpathia, she makes a snap decision to give the name of a third class passenger she befriended on the ship and when she gets to New York, she makes a new life for herself and Teddy as a new person. All is well until over a year later when someone from her old life spots her and threatens to put everything Elinor has worked so hard to accomplish into jeopardy. 

I found the first 45% of this book to be dreadfully boring. So much of what is narrated about Elinor’s life is repeated ad nauseam and I found myself wanting to scream, “I know! I know! Enough already!” I considered putting it down but I really wanted to read about the Titanic. 

Once we got to the main point of this, the book picked up and took it off. The last 25% of the book dragged a little bit, but nothing compared to the first part. I spent the majority of this wavering about whether I thought this deserved 2.5, 2.75, or 3 stars. In the end, I went with 3 because I really liked the ending. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for an advanced copy of this. The Lost Passenger hit the shelves on February 25th. 

I am actually not a fan of Mary Kubica’s writing and I only read this because it was for my book club, so my review needs to be taken with a grain of salt. 

The story itself is actually an interesting one. A mother and her daughter have vanished a few days after another woman has disappeared and then 11 years later the daughter reappears, surprising everyone. 

This had so much potential, but the writing is so simplistic and the amount of twists Ms. Kubica included diluted the integrity of the story. In addition to the multiple twists, there were so many plot holes it became absolutely ridiculous. In addition to all of that, there wasn’t a single likable character.

Parts of the story dragged on adding absolutely nothing of value, but then the ending was so rushed and wrapped up so tidy. I was left wondering whether Ms. Kubica got bored with her own writing or if she decided 356 pages was long enough. Honestly, if this hadn’t been for my book club I would have DNF’d it. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and it’s enough to know I’m not a fan. 

Hitting all of the perfect RomCom parts, this book is a great palette cleanser for after a heavy read or to get you out of a reading slump.
Ali Rubin has always lived her best life going for fun now and facing the consequences later. She’s never said no to a bet and that’s how she ended up with a weird looking tattoo on her hip- that is the perfect match to a perfect stranger she met in a pub during her semester abroad in London 8 years ago; the perfect stranger with whom she had a very deep connection. Now trying to settle down and be the adult everyone wants her to be, she’s working as an intern at a premiere wedding planning company in Baltimore to prove to everyone she’s not the flighty kid she used to be. With a promotion to Junior Planner on the line she’s pleased this next wedding is falling into place beautifully- until the groom finally shows up and ends up being the British stranger with whom she shares a tattoo.
Lindsay Hammeroff has given us such a fun character in Ali. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments and the Jewish representation is in full abundance.
Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this. Never Planned on you hit the shelf on February 18th.

It’s very rare that I suffer from a book hangover even though I have enjoyed many books. This book, however, has left me with such a book hangover and I’m torn between enjoying it as I relive the story in my head and trying to cure it quickly so I can begin a new book. I very rarely reread books (usually only if my book club is reading it) but this is one I plan on rereading and relistenjng to many times. 

Cate Kay has written a book trilogy that captivated the world from the first book and ultimately becomes an empire filled with movies, toys, and theme park rides. While the book is a good story, what makes it even more tantalizing is that Cate Kay is a pseudonym and no one knows who the author actually is. 

Several years after the writing of the first book, Cate decides to write a memoir but she wants every person with whom she’s had any meaningful interaction with to write that part of it. This is that memoir. 

Written by Cate and many others we get to know who Cate Kay actually is and what happened to make her decide to be anonymous. This takes us through her life from the time she is nine to present day and because we have the same parts told from everyone with whom Cate interacted it becomes a mesmerizing and immersive experience. 

I had the pleasure of listening to this and the full cast recording was phenomenal. Every characters chapters was voiced by someone different and it really helped to bring this to life. 

That being said, I ran out today and bought the physical copy and in thumbing through it I can see it’s the style in which it’s written gives life to this amazing story. 

The author, Kate Fagan, is an ESPN journalist who has written quite a few nonfiction books, making Cate Kay her debut novel. I am sure Ms. Fagan is a talented journalist but she is truly a gifted novelist. I cannot wait to read more by her. 

Set in Ireland this book is about loss, grief, and hope. Connie is an out of work actor and in addition to grieving the loss of her mother, her best friend and housemate, she is also stressing over the need to sell her house at her brother’s request. When she hears a brick phone ringing in the attic she picks it up only to hear her mom talking to her from the other side. 

Luke is an overworked architect and Dad to 6 year old Amy. He is trying to navigate single parenthood and helping Amy grieve (in addition to handling his own grief) as he comes to grips with the loss of his wife, Helen. 

Lucasta is the beloved author of the hit Mercy series, going on 20 years strong. While this octogenarian is known for her wonderful books and unconventional ways, she’s less known for conversing with spirits from the other side. Our three protagonists meet at a Bereavement Cafe; Connie and Luke attend at the insistence of others and Lucasta attends in the hopes of connecting a spirit who has come to her with her grieving husband. 

I was drawn to this book because the synopsis sounded cute. I knew it was likely going to be sappy, but I was here for it. I was not expecting it to be as one dimensional as it was, however. While the book is about 300 pages (give or take 30- the kindle version is 321, the paperback 328, and the hardcover 272) there is absolutely no flushing out of the characters or plot. The book focuses mainly on Connie, Luke, and Lucasta and they are essentially on a hamster wheel for the majority of the book. Each of their parts are the same thing until the end when miraculously all of their problems are resolved in a handful of pages. 

It felt as though the author knew how she wanted the book to start and end but she never really worked out the middle. If this were the case she would have done better to write about all of the side characters we meet at the bereavement cafe during the middle. While we still would have been confused as to how Connie, Luke, and Lucasta found their resolutions, at least we wouldn’t have been bored to tears during the middle. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry I didn’t like it more. Remember, I Love You hits the shelves on February 12th. 

I first read this 12 years ago when it was first published and I decided to reread it (only listening this time) for two reasons: a) I couldn’t remember anything about it and b) I gave it 5 stars. 

Back then my rating system was really quite simple- if I liked a book I gave it 5 stars and if I hated a book it received 1 star. I wondered if this was truly a 5 star book for me. News Flash- it’s pretty close!

Alice Buckle is your typical suburban wife and mom. She’s 45 years old, a part time drama teacher at an elementary school, wife of 20 years to William, and Mom to 15 year old Zoe and 12 year old Peter. She’s also bored n her life. One day, after Googling how to have a happy marriage, she receives an email inviting her to join a survey for Marriage in the 21st Century. She’s assigned a pseudonym- Wife 22 and a case worker- Researcher 101. In answering the questions sent through email she finds herself developing feelings for Researcher 101 and as she begins falling for him she begins to pull farther and farther away from William. Throughout the year that this takes place Alice loses herself and finds herself while navigating the trials and tribulations of middle age. 

This is written so uniquely written with Facebook feeds, DM’s, and emails peppered throughout the narrative. My favorite thing about this book, though, is how perfectly imperfect Alice is. 

Melanie Gideon has created such a real character who is flawed in the most realistic ways. She is in no way the perfect wife, mother, or friend and yet she’s the perfect character. 

I am so happy I decided to reread this and I’m surprised I loved it as much as I did 12 years ago since I know I didn’t connect with Alice back then the way I do now. 

The Favorites is a great title for this book because this is definitely going on my Favorites of 2025 list. This mockumentary takes us behind the scenes of competitive ice dancing and while the story is fictional you’ll be so immersed that you’ll completely forget it’s a novel and not a tell all. 

Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha were complete nobodies when they competed in their first Ice Dancing Nationals back when they were barely 18. Soon, though, they took the figure skating world by storm and quickly became the best ice dancing duo in the world- until their last Olympic Games when it all came crashing down. Now, 10 years after that fateful night, a documentary has been produced explaining exactly what happened to Shaw and Rocha. With Katarina narrating her story and cut in interviews from skaters, judges, and a gossip reporter, we are finally given the inside look as to how the greatest ice dancing team ultimately imploded and faded away. 

Written in the same style as Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six, Layne Fargo has given us the same immersive experience one doesn’t normally get in a book. I happened to listen to this and it was an incredible auditory experience. Narrated by a full cast it seems like you are listening to an actual documentary. 

I’m not always a fan of books turned into tv shows, but I certainly hope this is turned into a miniseries, as I expect it will be as great a hit as Shaw and Rocha were. 

Historical fiction is my favorite genre but so much of it takes place during WW2. When I find a book set in a different time period I generally jump at the chance to read it and that’s what drew me to Junie. 
The year before the start of the Civil War Junie is a 16 year old house slave. Her main task is to take care of the needs of 16 year old Violet McQueen, and unlike other slave/mistress relationships Violet and Junie are friends- nearly as close as sisters. The summer of 1860 brings about quite a few changes for the girls. Violet’s father sets up a suitor to whom she is expected to marry and Junie starts seeing the ghost of her sister, Minnie, who died the year before. Minnie has a task for Junie that will change the lives of everyone on the plantation I ways no one could ever imagine. 
This book was all over the place. At 368 pages it felt like it was about 60 pages too long. Honestly, the title of this should have been “Anything That Can Go Will Go Wrong” because that’s exactly what happened for nearly 400 pages. I felt like the bad was relentless and by the end instead of feeling sympathy for our young protagonist I just felt anger- at the author
There is absolutely no character development whatsoever. Towards the end there appears to be a little but as quickly as it comes, it leaves. What was the point in having the character change for a few paragraphs if on the very next page it completely disappears?. 
There are so many moments throughout the book that reminded me of both Kindred and Beloved- to the point where I had to remind myself this was a different story. I greatly appreciate the author’s writing a character of a slave reader’s haven’t seen (though technically we do see this character in Kindred) but that wasn’t enough to turn this into an uplifting story. 
If the author was attempting to write yet another slave story that, like Kindred and Beloved, has depressing undertones and filled with more moments of stress (for the reader), she certainly accomplished that. I wish, however, she had written a more uplifting story. 
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for an advanced copy of this. Junie hits the shelves on February 4th.

I’m not sure how this book entered my radar but I’m so glad it did! With its humor, lovable characters, and descriptions of an adorable baby this was the perfect listen to lift my mood after a heavier book.

19 year old Margo Millet finds herself in a bit of pickle when the very brief affair she had with her married English professor leaves her pregnant. Against the advice of everyone she decides to keep the baby but doing so brings about problem after problem after problem. She gained a baby but she lost her schooling, job, and 2/3 of her roommates. One night, out of desperation and curiosity, she starts an Only Fans account and realizes this could be the end to all of her money issues. 

This book is laugh out loud funny, but it’s actually quite deep as well. This takes us behind the scenes of Only Fans and gives us an in depth look as to why people open accounts and the judgment they get for doing so. 

Margo is such a real character. Watching her struggle with the judgment she received as a young, single mom from family, friends, and strangers wasn’t easy Watching her overcome those struggles was wonderful, though. I felt as though I was watching a Gen Z kid figure out the world of adulting. Margo doesn’t make it look easy, but she does make it look real!